Oscar, Emmy nominated US and European filmmakers will hold workshops in Dubai

Manhattan Film Academy (MFA), a New York City based collaborative of award winning Oscar & Emmy-nominated American & European filmmakers, in collaboration with Emirates Center for Management & Information Technology (ECMIT), Dubai, UAE in Dubai and will give students an unique is offering a series of intensive hands-on workshops in film production beginning January 2005. The program will be held at the ECMIT campus and will give students an opportunity to learn all aspects of filmmaking and film production.

Robert Tutak, Writer, Director and Founder, MFA, said, “Dubai is fast growing as a destination for leisure, shopping and entertainment. People are exposed to international standards in all aspects of life. We feel the time is just ripe to offer an innovative programme that gives a holistic picture of the digital film making process that can serve as a platform for students to migrate their skills and understandings onto a higher creative plane”. He adds, “We are also committed to exposing students in Dubai to highly noteworthy filmmakers from both Hollywood and Bollywood to make their experience total and comprehensive”.

Suresh Dinakaran, ECMIT, said, “ECMIT as an institution is dynamic and responsive to the changes that are happening in the social, cultural and business environment as that is the only way we can offer to our student universe what the market warrants. Our collaboration with the esteemed Manhattan Film Academy is yet another step in that direction. The Dubai Media City, the upcoming International Media Production Zone, the Dubai Film Festival scheduled in December, the continued increase in film shootings both for Bollywood and Hollywood productions, the fast growing broadcasting and advertising sectors are all indicators that the time has arrived for a programme of this nature which has been tailor made keeping in view the demands of the marketplace”.

There has already been a good response from India, speaking on plans for India, Dinakaran, said, “We plan to be in India between April to June 2005, we will probably begin with Bombay and then go to Delhi and so on”.

This is the first ever time that such a programme is being offered in the region where students would have an opportunity to hone their skills from Oscar & Emmy nominated American and European film makers.